Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Daily news: Utah could have air taxis in the next 10 years

The UPR daily news logo. It has the upr logo, phrase "Daily News," and a green microphone all within a speech bubble against a blue background.

Utah could have air taxis in the next 10 years

Utah could have air taxis in its urban areas within the next 10 years.

On Tuesday, an agreement was signed by Beta Technologies, an electric aircraft manufacturer, and 47G, a group of organizations involved in aerospace and defense, to bring air taxi technology and charging stations to the beehive state.

The vehicles would be able to carry up to five passengers or up to 1,250 pounds of cargo and are expected to run statewide in time for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games.

The agreement would also put money into charging stations for the new aircraft as well as ground-based electric vehicles. In his 2026 Fiscal Year budget, Gov. Cox included $2 million for aircraft charging station infrastructure.

Correction Jan. 29, 1:14 p.m.: This story has been updated to accurately reflect who signed the agreement.

Bill outlining framework for nuclear energy in Utah heads to the House

As Utah looks towards nuclear power to meet energy demands, lawmakers have introduced a bill that outlines a framework for the shift.

H.B. 249, sponsored by Republican Representative Carl Albrecht, would make a fund to finance energy development projects, establish a process for designating energy development zones, and create the Utah Nuclear Energy Council.

Albrecht said the timeline for developing nuclear technology is a long one, with current regulations meaning it would be at least a decade until Utah has a fully operating nuclear plant.

Barriers to the bill include a high cost and concerns over a lack of representation on the council from communities that have been historically impacted by the nuclear industry.

The bill passed out of committee with a unanimous vote and now heads to the full House for debate.

Duck is a general reporter and weekend announcer at UPR, and is studying broadcast journalism and disability studies at USU. They grew up in northern Colorado before moving to Logan in 2018, so the Rocky Mountain life is all they know. Free time is generally spent with their dog, Monty, listening to podcasts, reading or wishing they could be outside more.